MARVIN: A MARVIN GAY REVUE to Open at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will present “Marvin: A Marvin Gaye Revue” is a brand-new musical celebration featuring the timeless songs of legendary singer-songwriter-producer Marvin Gaye.

Created, adapted and directed by WBTT Founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs, this revue brings together an electrifying ensemble to honor one of the greatest catalogs in music history.

The production runs from July 15-24, 2026 in The Donelly Theatre at WBTT (1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota).

WBTT fan favorite Sheldon Rhoden has performed in the title role of “Marvin Gaye: Prince of Soul” all four times the Troupe has presented it; he returns for the musical revue, alongside other popular WBTT artists including Jada Carson, Jazzmin Carson, Michael Mejia-Mendez, Raleigh Mosely II, Leon S. Pitts II, Jai Shanae, Riki Stevens and Henry Washington.

Music director is Etienne “EJ” Porter; choreographer is Donald Frison.

Marvin Gaye blazed the trail for the continued evolution of popular Black music, from powerful R&B and sophisticated soul to an intensely political and personal form of artistic self-expression. Gaye helped to define the sound of Motown and the soul music of the 1960s and ‘70s, with themes including love, passion, and social injustice. His life and career were cut short, however, with his shocking murder at the hands of his father in 1984.

“Marvin” will be filled with powerhouse vocals, dynamic performances, and hit after hit. Songs audiences will hear include “How Sweet It Is,” “Can I Get a Witness,” “Sexual Healing,” “Heard It Through the Grapevine” and many more. This summer revue – which is expected to sell out – celebrates the sound that defined generations.

“Our Marvin Gaye shows and Sheldon Rhoden are, at this point, inextricably linked! His talents inspired me to write the first iteration of Gaye's story, ‘Marvin Gaye: The Man and His Music' and each production has just gotten better, more polished – and more requested,” said Jacobs. “Marvin Gaye is a tragic hero whose music helped to define the Motown era as well as the evolution of soul and protest music through the 1970s. It is a testament to Gaye's talent that his music remains so popular to this day.”

His artistic development at WBTT – particularly his success in the Marvin Gaye shows – inspired Rhoden to take a shot at the highest level of theatre. In 2013, he traveled to New York City to audition for "Motown: The Musical." His audition so impressed the production team that they called Motown founder Berry Gordy – who was in the city at the time and on whom the production was based – and then recalled Rhoden to sing for him. Jacobs remembers that Rhoden's rendition of "What's Going On?" visibly moved Gordy, who stated that he'd never met anyone who reminded him so much of Marvin Gaye.

Not only will the production serve to entertain local patrons, the run will serve as a warm-up for the show in advance of its run at the upcoming International Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This year's festival takes place July 27-August 1, 2026.

2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats

Best Orchestrations - Top 3

1. Anders Eljas, Brian Usifer - Chess

21.1% of votes

2. Ethan Popp, The Rescues - The Lost Boys

20.8% of votes

3. William David Brohn - Ragtime

13.1% of votes

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